To be in or out of school by Christian

To be in or out of school by Christian - July 2019 Scholarship Essay

According to Merriam-Webster, education is defined as, “the action or process of educating or of being educated also: a stage of such a process.” Most people further interpret this as having to happen within a school or university setting. While my passion for education is strong within the school, I find that my passion for learning may come more so from other aspects of my life outside the classroom.
Within a school setting, my passion for education has always extended from my passion for problem-solving. Being able to work through problems, especially in math and science, is something I find to be a lot of fun. Think of it like solving puzzles, the strategies and concepts I have learned in class are the puzzle pieces and I have to work to fit them together and find the answer to a problem, the full picture. Being able to see my work in action and find the final picture is exhilarating and is what drives my passion for those problems.
While this feeling of exhilaration within my school setting is irreplaceable, I find that my passion for education comes more from real-life experiences. Outside of the classroom, I am a very active person: constantly participating in sports, clubs, or volunteer. From these activities, not only have I learned things that I could never be taught in the classroom but also being in the real world I can practice what I have learned! For example, I volunteer at my church's elementary level childcare three times a month. There I have learned new techniques and strategies as to how to handle and make bonds with younger kids, something a school system couldn't teach me. In addition, I then have the ability to apply what I have learned with the children and because of it, I have become a role model and trusted friend to many of the kids I work with. While this form of learning may be different from what most people view as “education”, my ability to have these real-life experiences is what drives my passion for learning.
In conclusion, when asked, “Discuss what having a passion for education means to you”, my response is having the ability to enhance my own being. Whether it is in or out of the classroom, I am always open to opportunities to re-enter my exhilarating state of problem-solving or face another educational real-life experience.